Pokémon Legends: Arceus Review – A Welcome Series Evolution

Since the debut of the Pokémon series in the mid-1990s, fans have dreamed about a game entry that allows them to explore the vast, uncharted world. And now, twenty-six years later, we finally have it in Pokémon Legends: Arceus for Nintendo Switch. The newest Pokémon title is a striking departure from the mainline games fans have come to expect over the years. But it’s a welcome addition to the franchise that hopefully signals a new line of similar titles moving forward. Ultimately, it likely won’t take the place of more traditional entries like Ruby and Sapphire. But it’s unique play style and slightly more mature theme mark it as a worth contender for your time.

How Pokémon Legends: Arceus Changed the Series

An Overhauled Play Style

Typically, Pokémon games have centered around a top-down, turn-based play style. And though more recent entries like Sword and Shield have modernized various elements, the gameplay has remained largely the same for decades. However, Pokémon Legends: Arceus makes a drastic departure from the typical format, opting instead for an action-oriented adventure. Though some aspects of the turn-based format remain, they have largely been overhauled into a drastically different experience. For example, all Pokémon now appear on the overworld map. In past games, players would wander around tall grass until suddenly surprised by a Pokémon. Then, the screen would turn to the battle animation, completely separate from the overworld. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, everything happens seamlessly, from exploration, to battling and all other mechanics.

Part of this new dynamic includes the ability to aim and throw Poké Balls at the creatures in real-time. Meaning players can sneak around, hiding in the tall grass while awaiting the perfect moment to take their shot at catching one. Of course, some Pokémon are far harder to catch than others, and some require a battle to whittle down health beforehand.

The way battles work in Pokémon Legends: Arceus is also reminiscent of the traditional style while bringing noticeable changes. For example, Pokémon still attack in turn order, though it isn’t always one after the other. Because speed determines turn order, which allows some to attack twice in a row before the opponent ever gets a hit in. So, the back-and-forth dynamic is there though it’s not quite what fans have come to expect. Furthermore, the addition of Strong and Agile attack styles for every move gives players a way to tailor each battle to their needs.

Overall, while the new, action-oriented play style is different, it’s a welcome shift from other mainline titles.

New Forms and Evolutions

Typically, recent entries to the franchise have added in new forms, evolutions and Pokémon altogether. And overall, Pokémon Legends: Arceus follows that formula precisely. In fact, there are over twenty new forms and evolutions for players to encounter on their journey across Hisui. And depending on how quickly they train their starting partner, they might see some sooner than later. Because Samurott, Decidueye and Typhlosion have all been given new Hisuian forms that differ from the originals. But if fans take their time leveling up their starters, that’s all right. Because they’ll quickly encounter other new and unique creatures like Kleavor, Wyrdeer, and Basculegion. A full list of new forms and evolutions includes:

In fact, it makes sense for Pokémon Legends: Arceus to have added as many new forms and evolutions as it did. Because it simply continues what its connected mainline games, Diamond and Pearl, started back in 2006, when they added nearly twenty new evolutionary forms for existing Pokémon. So, fans coming to Pokémon Legends: Arceus can easily expect to encounter some exciting new creatures they’ve never seen before.

Filling Out the Pokédex Is an Accomplishment that Makes Sense

In traditional Pokémon games, completing the Pokédex is one of the main challenges presented to trainers. But for some reason, the task is entirely lackluster. Of course, it feels good knowing you’ve caught every Pokémon in the game. After all, the tagline for the series is, “Gotta Catch ‘Em All”. But in some ways, it’s also too easy. Players simply catch a Pokémon once, transfer it to the box, and never worry about it again. Pokémon Legends: Arceus turns this entire system on its head, requiring players to catch, battle with and observe Pokémon to complete a single entry. So, for example, it isn’t enough any longer to go out and catch the first Pikachu seen. Instead, you must complete a combination of different tasks to complete the entry. So, you might catch four specimens, defeat two in battle and see it use Thunderbolt three times before completing the information.

Overall, this makes filling out the Pokédex a much more rewarding accomplishment. Because it feels like you’ve actually carried out research and formed some sort of a connection with the different species out there. And instead of shipping them off to the box and never using them again, you might regularly change your team. All in all, this leads to a much more varied adventure toward completing the Pokédex than the mainline games present.

Side Quests are Meaningful and Make Sense in the Setting

Without giving too much of the plot away, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is set in Hisui, the ancient Sinnoh region. As such, people and Pokémon are only just starting to learn to work together. And ultimately, there’s quite a bit of mystery and trepidation surrounding the unique creatures. So, many of the inhabitants are wary and fearful toward the Pokémon living around Jubilife village. Another new feature of this game is the addition of side quests the player completes for rewards. And unlike many other RPGs which feature pointless, unrelated side missions, the quests in Pokémon Legends: Arceus make sense. Because many of them center around helping the villagers overcome their fear of Pokémon and teaching them to work together.

In effect, you’re helping to build the modern world of Pokémon introduced by each professor in the mainline games. Because in the words of Professor Oak, “People and Pokémon live together by supporting each other”.

Characters are Recognizable and Relatable

In many of the mainline Pokémon games, players are joined on an adventure by a small cast of other characters and rivals. However, there’s rarely ever any in-depth connection to these other individuals. They show up occasionally to battle or offer you free items to help in your adventure. But they never stay long, and there’s little in the way of meaningful connection. While Pokémon Arceus: Legends certainly isn’t the most in-depth RPG in terms of character development, it does far better than other franchise titles. In fact, the player is joined regularly by a cast of characters who at once feel familiar and relatable in a strange world. So, from Irida and Adaman to Professor Laventon and the various wardens, it feels like you actually get to know the individual characters.

So, What’s Wrong with Pokémon Legends: Arceus?

Overall, there’s quite a bit more than could be said positively about Pokémon Legends: Arceus. It’s the first sort of truly open-world game of its type. It feels much more mature and high-stakes than previous entries. And it offers players the sort of experience they’ve wanted for well over two decades. But that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. In fact, one of the main detractors are that the graphics are somewhat subpar for the system. It suffers from massive pixilation issues and occasional environmental glitching. Furthermore, though the story is better than other Pokémon titles, it still might not be considered great. The gameplay is cyclical, throwing fans into re-skinned regions and having them largely perform similar tasks over again.

Yet, for the negative points of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, it’s still a fantastic and evolved entry in a beloved series. Beyond nitpicking smaller details, fans of the franchise should find it a worthwhile experience and come away wanting more.